Facts about the van from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
| Cheapest Van | $12 |
| Fastest Van | 4h 20m |
| Earliest Van | 7:00 AM |
| Latest Van | 6:30 PM |
| Daily Van Routes | 9 |
| Distance | 41 kilometers |
| Van Companies | Luang Prabang Holiday Travel, Naluang, Vieng Chaleune |
Vans from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Recommended
Transport type
Price
Departure
Departure Station
Arrival
Arrival Station
Transportation from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
-
Trains$ 15.63
-
Buses$ 11.85
-
Taxis$ 11.06
-
Vans$ 11.06
-
Ferries are not available
-
Flights are not available
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Destination Reviews
RH
Rogier HThe time busses go are not correct. When we arrived they told us the bus went an hour earlier. This is a problem that you can easily solve by contacting the bus station. For the rest was it ok, we got offered an other bus. Don’t expect luxury but it will get you from A to B. Road quality is very bad, so no seatbelts was a bit scary
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Sep 26, 2024
S
Sarah Minivan arrived on time. But too many people were squeezed into one minivan. Some had to sit on a stool for 6 hours. The minivan left 35 minutes late. You felt like an animal in a cage that was far too small.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 13, 2024
MC
Manjinder CThe bus left Luang Prabang 3.5 hours late and arrived in Vang Vieng 4 hours late. The bus service had more people packed in than seats available so we each had very little room and after picking up even more people on the route I ended up with a stranger sitting in my feet. The roads they drove down could barely even be called roads with us getting stuck multiple times but I guess that's not the bus's fault
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Naluang (Naluang), Feb 6, 2024
TE
Theresa ETaking this van was a Great experience for us, but it is definitely mit for everyone. Being delayed shouldn't be a problem for you. It was the craziest drive of our life. As the street's' conditions were very bad, we we're shaked the whole 7h Trip. Most of the 20 People in our tiny van got more and more angry while driving. We also don't recommend it for tall or strongly built people - it was really tight.
Do not get irritated If the driver stops to grab some locals. One time we had a break for Toilette and eating at a Restaurant.
However, we we're glad we took this Option as we couldn't get Tickets for the train and want to have New experiences to enlargen put horizont.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Nov 1, 2023
CB
Clara BThe van it’s supposed to carry 14 people. We were 21.
The way of driving wasn’t safe at all.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Naluang (Naluang), Jun 26, 2023
MS
Mhairi SSqueezed into a 14 person bus with 20 people! Air con was very weak! The journey is very bumpy and windy roads! Would have been better off riding the train
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Naluang (Naluang), Mar 24, 2023
V
Valerie There was extra stools added to the aisle that had no seatbelt or backsupport. We were told we would have a stop on the way to Vang Vieng for food/bathroom which we never got. We were stopped at a stop sign where there was construction and were left out there to climb over a ditch to pee. Not a fun trip but definitely an experience.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 25, 2023
JV
Jonjon VBus left late and the vehicle was different than the one I booked. No AC like promised and the driver had the most awful music on. Usually wouldn’t be bothered but for a 9 hour drive it was awful. For the money you pay you would expect better service and/or explanation.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 23, 2023
RM
Rut MEasy to book and overall good ride, took only 5 hour with a toilet break. But the road was very bad and bumby so not the most comfy ride. The bus also has two extra seats/chairs (without back support) in the middle of the van so they can fit two extra people in the small van. Luckily I got in first so I got an propper seat.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 19, 2023
LG
Lauren GThe ride was okay! It was 5 hours, not 9 hours which was good! The van itself is small, and the driver squeezes 14 people in it, so if your at the back row then good luck, especially if your a bigger person.
But the driver was friendly, stopped of once, and got here quick!
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 8, 2023
Popular Routes
From Luang Prabang
To Luang Prabang
From Vang Vieng
How to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by van
Vans are a faster alternative to buses; vans usually offer more scheduled departures than buses or other means of transport over the same route; vans may serve the routes not served by buses, trains, or flights. What other reasons do you need to opt for a van? Ah! Very often, they are much more affordable than any other means of transport. Van from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng departs regularly according to the schedule and is a decent option to get to your destination at a reasonable price. Now van tickets can be booked online what makes planning of your trip more convenient. Before you book your van ticket, remember to read other travellers’ reviews on your operator’s service to ensure it meets your expectations.
Currently the following operators can help you to travel from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by van: .
How far is Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng?
Luang Prabang sits 41 km from Vang Vieng.
How long does it take to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by van?
Vans cover the distance between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in 5h – 6h hours. Do note that though vans usually stick to their schedule, your journey can take longer if traffic is excessive or the weather is bad. The worst periods in the sense of violation of the timetable is long weekends, national holidays, school vacations and peak season. With roads stuck with traffic do expect delays. Stormy weather with heavy rains or snowfalls can also cause your arrival time to change. Yet in general you can rely on the timing declared by the operator.
The fastest service on this route is provided by Luang Prabang Holiday Travel. Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ)’s vans travel slower than others.
How much does it cost to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by van?
Opposite to, say, buses, normally vans do not offer a great variety in the sense of ticket class hence the price of the ticket is the same for all seats in a van. Note that some seats offer more comfort during the ride. E.g. in some vans the passenger seat by the driver is also available. If you are lucky enough to get it, you may have more space and definitely a better view there. Similarly, in some vans seats in the back row may be a disappointment as they do not recline due to the trunk filled with travellers’ luggage.
To hop onto a van between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng expect to pay from USD 17.71 to USD 19.87. The more convenient the ride, the more you pay – either for extra space or for less stops enroute. Naluang is the cheapest operator on the route while Luang Prabang Holiday Travel is the most expensive one.
Travelling by van essentials
- Ensure to check carefully from where your van departs. In many cases vans are stationed not at the city main bus station but elsewhere. Individual van operators may have their own van stops located anywhere, and one and the same operator may sell tickets to their vans from different stops. If you are planning a bus-van connection, be sure you understand where to catch your van as it is easy to assume that vans leave from the same station where buses arrive. No, it is not necessarily so!
- There are different types of vans accommodating from 9 to 15 or more passengers. While on certain routes you have no alternative, on others you can choose. The rule of thumb – fewer seats mean more leg space and more comfort. As well as more money for your ticket. But this is probably the case when it is worth investing into your seat a bit more.
- Vans accommodating more passengers are often cramped and do not provide any additional space for your luggage. In many cases your ticket will include only one piece of luggage, often with limited weight. If you travel with huge suitcases or backpacks you may want – or even need – to buy an extra seat for your luggage. Before booking an extra seat for your luggage though do check with the operator if they allow it. If you did buy a separate seat for your luggage, and the driver during the way tries to pick up an extra passenger to put on a “vacant” seat, insist on right to use it as you paid for it.
- There are obviously no on board toilets in vans but if your journey lasts over two or three hours there will normally be one or more bathroom stop(s) enroute. During the bathroom stop, take a note of your van number plate when you get off. It will make it easier for you to find the van among similar vehicles and in an unhappy case (hypothetically!) of van leaving without you, you can at least report it to the operator.
- Van drivers are notorious for their driving style. Though many companies enforce strict speed limits on their vehicles they are often not observed. This is probably a major downside of van travel in some countries. Anyway, if speed limits are violated do not be shy to ask the driver to go slower. Normally there will be an information plate with the telephone numbers to call if your driver violates traffic rules – report each such case without hesitation. Also, do leave your review if not satisfied with the service to warn other travellers.
- It is compulsory to use belts for all the van passengers. Even if your driver does not insist on it, use the belt for your own safety. Belts are sometimes fixed behind your seat – do not hesitate to release them and use as they are intended to be used.
- Many vans do not have scheduled departures but depart when full. Sometimes waiting periods can be long, especially if you happen to come immediately after the previous van has departed or just in the end of the day when there are not so many passengers. Always make sure you understand whether your ticket is for a scheduled trip or otherwise. Normally operators who allow online booking of their tickets, provide scheduled service meaning your van will depart on time no matter how many passengers show up for the trip.